Lining machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe which is arranged to be progressed through the pipe and which includes distributor means for slinging material in a generally radial spray on the walls of the pipe, and spaced trowelling means for smoothing the lining material on the wall, and a diaphragm interposed between the distributor means and the trowelling means for intercepting rebound particles and preventing them from imbedding in the freshly trowelled surface.

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Clifford A. Padgett Lake-a 00d, NJ

Lester C. Slade, Escalon, Calif. 783,301

Dec. 12, 1968 Aug. 17, 1971 Raymond International, his, New York, N.Y.

LINING MACHINE 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl.

Int. Cl

Field olSear-ch 25/38, 39, 4o, 37, 32, 30 M, 126. 127, 122, 3 118/305, 306,

24 I Z6 l gain-m [56] References Cited UNiTED STATES PATENTS 2.484018 10/1949 Crom 25/38 X 2,513,289 7/1950 Crom 125/38 X 3,159,895 12/1964 Perovich 118/306 X Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant ExaminerJohn S Brown Attorney-Ward, McElhannon, Brooks and Fitzpatrick LINING MACHINE This invention has to do with apparatus for applying fluent lining material to the inside of conduits or pipes and more particutariy theinvention, among other uses, is adapted for applying and smoothing lining material such as of Portland cement, concrete or other material while still in a plastic'condition on the internal'walls of pipes and conduits.

Mortar pipe-lining machines are known which centrifugally sling mortar in a radial spray pattern from a revolving distributor head so that it impinges on the walls of a pipe where it adheres forming a coating. The coating as initially applied has a rough textured surface and is normally smoothed by a system of trowels which are mounted concentrically with the distributor head and project beyond it. We have'discovered, according to our invention, that a small portion of the spray failed to adhere to the pipe and splashed or rebounded away from the surface. These rebounding particles moved in all directions, but a significant number of them tended to land on the already trowelled lining where they adhered to the fresh mortar. Then, when the mortar set, these particles were firmly cemented to the surface resulting in an objectionably rough surface, which to a degree defeated one of the purposes of the lining operation. In many cases it was necessary to remove these particles by hand-scouring. These rebound particles can occur in any size of pipe but become more severe as the diameter increases. An object of this invention is to overcome the problems encountered with prior art apparatus as will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Briefly, our invention contemplates the provisionof a new and improved machine for applying fluent lining material to the inside of pipes, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a distributor head for slinging the material'in a radial spray pattern so that it imp inges on the walls of a pipe. In addition, the machine includes trowel means which serve to effect smoothing of the lining material on the walls of the pipe. A diaphragm is provided which is mounted between the distributor head and the trowels for intercepting rebounding particles which would otherwise land on the freshly trowelled surface.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as the basis for the design of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that this disclosure be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not I depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Several embodiments of the invention have been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a machine for applying a fluid lining material to the inside of a pipe constructed according to the concept of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the machine of FIG. 1, showing details of the trowelling means; and

, FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of another embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, as shown in FIG.

I, a machine indicated generally at 10, for applying a fluid lining material, such as Portland cement, concrete or other material, for example, to the inside of a pipe 12 is arranged to be progressed through the pipe in the direction of arrow 14 on wheels 16, as by means of a tow cable (not shown) wound onto a winch (not shown) outside the pipe. In some installations the machine is self-propelled, instead of using the tow cable. The machine comprises a distributor head 18 which is rotated at high speed by an electric motor (not shown) and to which fluent cement mortar lining material is supplied under pressure from a source outside the pipe being lined, through a flexible conduit (not shown) extending from the inlet of the pipe. In some installations, particularly, where large volumes are involved, the fluent cement mortar lining material is supplied by means of shuttle vehicles.

I The revolving distributor head 18 centrifugally slings the mortar in a generally radial spray pattern 20 so that it impinges on the wall of the pipe 12 where it adheres forming a coating '22 thereon. The coating as initially applied has a rough textured surface which is smoothed by trowels 24. These trowels are carried on a resilient system of arms indicated generally at 26 which are, in turn, mounted on flange 28, as at 30, at the end of a trowel shaft 32. The trowel shaft is mounted on suitable bearings (not shown) concentrically disposed with respect to the distributor head 18 and projecting longitudinally therefrom. This shaft is rotated at a relatively slow speed with respect to the rotational speed of the distributor head, and it is synchronized with the travel speed of the machine so that the entire surface of the lining is smoothed by the trowels 24.

' There is a small proportion 33 of the spray 20 which does not adhere to the pipe 12, but which splashes and rebounds away from the surface. Some of this spray is reflected in a direction towards the already trowelled lining 34. If these particles reach the freshly trowelled lining, they would adhere and cause an objectionably rough surface to be formed, and in some cases it would be necessary to remove them by handscouring. According to my invention, I provide a diaphragm 36 mounted between the distributor head 18 and the trowels 24 to intercept the path of the rebound particles as at 36, which would otherwise land on the trowelled surface. This diaphragm deflects these particles so that they land on the uncoated lining, as at 40. These particles are then trowelled onto the surface of the lining, becoming a part of it, where they belong.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in FIG. I, the diaphragm 36 is mounted on the flange 28 of the trowel shaft 32, as at 42. It 'will be appreciated that the required diameter of the diaphragm decreases in proportion to an increase in the distance between the diaphragm and the distributor head 18. On the other hand, a shorter overhang from the distributor head provides a stronger structure by reason of the reduced cantilever effect. It will also be appreciated that the periphery of the diaphragm 36 of FIG. 1 is of circular configuration and concentrically disposed with respect to the shaft 32, by reason of the fact that it rotates with the trowels 24.

As bestseen in FIG. 1, there is a gap 44 between the diaphragm 36 and the pipe 12 so that the machine operator can monitor the finished lining 34 and make any necessary adjustments to the trowels of machine operation.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the revolving distributor head 18 centrifugally slings mortar 20 in a radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of the pipe 12 where it adheres forming a coating 22. This coating is smoothed by a system of trowels 24 in the same manner as that described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a flange 45 is mounted on a portion of an extrusion tube 48 projecting through the distributor head 18 and, a diaphragm 46 is mounted thereon, as at 50. This part is stationary with respect to the machine, and hence provides a stationary point of support for the diaphragm 46. In this embodiment it is not necessary that the diaphragm be circular or concentric with respect to the trowel shaft. However, it is necessary that a gap 52 be provided between the diaphragm and the pipe for purposes of allowing the operator to monitor the finished lining 34. In some installations it may be desirable to make the gap 52 very small, and in such cases a segment 54 of the diaphragm 46 is hinged, as at 56, to the diaphragm so that it may be folded over to provide access to the trowels for cleaning and to provide clear vision for the operator to monitor the finished lining 34. A sliding locking latch 58 serves to lock the segment 54 in its closed or operative position as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3. The broken lines in FIG. 3 show the segment in its open position.

lt .will thus be seen that the present invention does indeed provide an improved machine for applying fluent lining material to the inside of pipes which is superior in simplicity, economy and efficiency as compared to prior art such devices.

Although certain particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, various modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertams.

What we claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the in side of a pipe, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a distributor head for slinging said material in a generally radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of the pipe, trowel means carried by said machine to effect smoothing of the lining material on the walls of the pipe, a diaphragm disposed between said distributor head and said trowel means for intercepting rebound particles, said diaphragm having a segment hingedly attached thereto, means for opening said segment to provide clear vision thereby to allow the machine operator to monitor the finished lining and make the necessary adjustments to the trowels and machine operation.

2. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe according to claim 1 further comprising a sliding locking latch to lock the segment in its closed position when in its first position and allowing said segment to be opened when in its second position.

3. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a distributor head for slinging said material in a generally radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of the pipe, trowel means carried by said machine to effect smoothing of the lining material on'the walls of the pipe, a circular diaphragm disposed between said distributor head and said trowel means for intercepting rebound particles, said diaphragm having a segment, means mounting said segment for movement relative to the remainder of said diaphragm to provide clear vision thereby to allow the machine operator to monitor the finished lining and make the necessary adjustments to the trowels and machine operation.

4. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a revolving distributor head for centrifugally slinging mortar in a radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of a pipe where it adheres forming a coating, a trowel shaft projecting in a linear direction from said distributor head, bearing means for mounting said shaft concentrically with respect to said distributor head, a flange mounted on the end of said trowel shaft, a resilient system of arms mounted on said flange, trowels carried by said system of arms, said shaft being rotatable at a relatively slow speed and in synchronization with the travel speed of the machine so that said trowels smooth the entire surface of the lining, and a stationary longitudinally extending projection depending from the distributor head, said projection being concentrically disposed with respect to said head, a thin, substantially circular diaphragm mounted thereon between said distributor head and said trowels to intercept the rebounding particles which would otherwise land on the trowelled surface, said trowel shaft projecting through a medial opening in said diaphragm, said diaphragm having a segment, means mounting said segment for movement relative to the remainder of said diaphragm for allowing the machine operator to monitor the finished lining and make necessary adjustments to the trowels and machine operation. 

1. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a distributor head for slinging said material in a generally radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of the pipe, trowel means carried by said machine to effect smoothing of the lining material on the walls of the pipe, a diaphragm disposed between said distributor head and said trowel means for intercepting rebound particles, said diaphragm having a segment hingedly attached thereto, means for opening said segment to provide clear vision thereby to allow the machine operator to monitor the finished lining and make the necessary adjustments to the trowels and machine operation.
 2. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe according to claim 1 further comprising a sliding locking latch to lock the segment in its closed position when in its first position and allowing said segment to be opened when in its second position.
 3. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a distributor head for slinging said material in a generally radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of the pipe, trowel means carried by said machine to effect smoothing of the lining material on the walls of the pipe, a circular diaphragm disposed between said distributor head and said trowel means for intercepting rebound particles, said diaphragm having a segment, means mounting said segment for movement relative to the remainder of said diaphragm to provide clear vision thereby to allow the machine operator to moniTor the finished lining and make the necessary adjustments to the trowels and machine operation.
 4. A machine for applying a fluent lining material to the inside of a pipe, the machine being arranged to be progressed through the pipe and comprising a revolving distributor head for centrifugally slinging mortar in a radial spray pattern so that it impinges on the walls of a pipe where it adheres forming a coating, a trowel shaft projecting in a linear direction from said distributor head, bearing means for mounting said shaft concentrically with respect to said distributor head, a flange mounted on the end of said trowel shaft, a resilient system of arms mounted on said flange, trowels carried by said system of arms, said shaft being rotatable at a relatively slow speed and in synchronization with the travel speed of the machine so that said trowels smooth the entire surface of the lining, and a stationary longitudinally extending projection depending from the distributor head, said projection being concentrically disposed with respect to said head, a thin, substantially circular diaphragm mounted thereon between said distributor head and said trowels to intercept the rebounding particles which would otherwise land on the trowelled surface, said trowel shaft projecting through a medial opening in said diaphragm, said diaphragm having a segment, means mounting said segment for movement relative to the remainder of said diaphragm for allowing the machine operator to monitor the finished lining and make necessary adjustments to the trowels and machine operation. 